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An artist's impression of the Successor-class submarine Credit: Ministry of Defence

Submarine builders in Barrow have won contracts worth £79m, for initial work on Britain's next generation of nuclear deterrent subs.

The Ministry of Defence announced it had agreed two contracts with BAE Systems. The initial work includes structural fittings, electrical equipment, castings and forgings which must be ordered now, according to Defence Secretary Philip Hammond.

The new vessels are due to enter service by 2028.

Mr Hammond said: "The Successor programme is supporting around 2,000 jobs and up to 850 British businesses could benefit from the supply chain as we exploit the most modern technologies, and employ a significant portion of the UK's engineers, project managers and technicians over the coming years."

Admiral Sir George Zambellas, First Sea Lord, said: "The Royal Navy has been operating continuous at-sea deterrent patrols for more than 40 years and the Successor submarines will allow us to do so with cutting-edge equipment well into the future."

Both contracts, one of £47m and another of £32m, will be filled by workers in Barrow-in-Furness.

Britain can maintain a credible nuclear deterrent without a like-for-like replacement of its Trident submarine fleet, a review by the Liberal Democrats has concluded.

The review, led by Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander, said there are alternatives to the UK's current nuclear stance which requires at least one nuclear-armed submarine always to be at a sea.

However, it accepts that cutting the size of the current four-vessel fleet would not offer the same degree of resilience as the current continuous-at-sea deterrent and would not guarantee "a prompt response in all circumstances".

HMS Vanguard Credit: PA

The review was launched by Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg as part of the coalition agreement - reflecting the Lib Dems' opposition to a like-for-for like replacement for the Trident submarine fleet - which the Tories strongly support.

Mr Cameron reiterated that the review did not change current Government policy - with the key decisions on whether to go ahead not due to be taken until 2016 after the next general election.

The review concluded: "The analysis has shown that there are alternatives to Trident that would enable the UK to be capable of inflicting significant damage such that most potential adversaries around the world would be deterred."

"None of these alternative systems and postures offers the same degree of resilience as the current posture of continuous at sea deterrence, nor could they guarantee a prompt response in all circumstances."

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Britain can maintain a credible nuclear deterrent without a like-for-like replacement of its Trident submarine fleet, a review by the Liberal Democrats has concluded.

The review, led by Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander, said there are alternatives to the UK's current nuclear stance which requires at least one nuclear-armed submarine always to be at a sea.

However, it accepts that cutting the size of the current four-vessel fleet would not offer the same degree of resilience as the current continuous-at-sea deterrent and would not guarantee "a prompt response in all circumstances".

Liberal Democrat Cabinet Minister Danny Alexander said the Liberal Democrats' review of alternatives to Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent will not "compromise national security".

In a move which could put his party at odds with its Conservative coalition partners, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury admitted Britain faces a "big decision in 2016" over alternatives to the current weapon system.